Wrench



June 1 1926. 1,587,407 J. D. OBRIEN V WRENCH Filed May 19, 1925 wxmzssas v INVENTQR W266 amesi]. Q'Zfrze;

I BY

ATTORNEYS Patented June 1, 1926.

UNITED STATES JAMES DENNIS OBRIEN, OF BROOKLYN, NEXU YORK.

WRENCH.

Application filed May 19, 1925.

This invention relates to wrenches, and has particular reference to an improvement in self-adjusting wrenches which are particularly designed for use in connection with smaller sizes of taps or bolts.

As an object the invention contemplates a wrench having jaws provided with shanks in prolongation thereof with a handle movable longitudinally of the shanks for effecting the relative adjustment of the aws and the turning movement of the nut or tap by rotation of the handle on its axis.

The invention furthermore comprehends a wrench of the character set forth which due to the leverage action on the jaw shanks serves to maintain the nut or tap when removed, in a clamped position between the jaws.

The invention furthermore provides a wrench of the type specified which effects a substantial parallel relation of the jaws to each other in the various adjusted positions thereof so that the aws engage a wide area of the faces of the tap or nut.

The invention furthermore aims to provide a wrench which is comparatively simple in its construction and mode of use, inexpensive tomanufacture, and which is highly eflicient in its purpose.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is had to the following specification and drawings in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention which is in no way intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims, as it is to be clearly understood that variations and modifications which properly fall within the scope of said claims may be resorted to when found expedient.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a wrench constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, and

Fig. 3 is an end view of the same.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the wrench includes a pair of identically formed jaw members 10 and 11 each of which is provided with a substantially T-shaped laterally offset terminal 12 and a shank 13. The confronting inner faces 14 of the shank are parallel for the major portion of their length and are provided adjacent their rear or inner terminals with notches 15 having inclined longitudinal walls 16 which converge with respect to each Serial No. 31,359.

other in a rearward or inward direction. The outer side walls are provided with con verging portions 17 from the outer offset terminals 12 rearwardly and inwardly to a point substantially intermediate of their length, and the innermost extremities of the shanks 13 are connected by a transverse screw 18 which permits of a slight trans verse rocking or swinging of the jaws with respect to each other. Adjacent the offset terminals 12 the jaws 10 and 11 are provided with sockets 19 on their inner confronting faces within which the end convolutionsof a coiled expansion spring 20 is arranged for effecting a normal relative separation of the jaws and for tensioning the same against relative movement toward each other. The means for effecting relative adjustments of the jaws and constituting a handle for manipulating the wrench when adjusted, consists of a substantially tubular telescopic member 21 longitudinally slidable upon the shanks 13 and provided at its open outer end with a relatively wide bearing element 22 having an axial rectangular opening 23 the diametrically opposed walls 2 1 of which diverge outwardly and converge inwardly to cooperate with the rearwardly converging and forwardly diverging portions 17. The bearing element 22 may be secured in any desired manner within the open end of the member 21, such as by a retaining screw 25, and by spinning the open end 26 over the bearing element. The means which cooperates with the wall 16 of the notches consists preferably of a transverse rod or shaft 27 in the handle member 21.

In use and operation of the Wrench relative longitudinal movement of the handle toward the offset terminals 12 effects the advancement of the terminals 12 toward each other against the action of the spring 20 due to the interengagement of the outwardly diverging walls 24: with the portions 17 and the movement of the transvers rod or shaft 27 toward the wider ends of the notches 15. Relative longitudinal movement of the handle in the opposite direction effects a corresponding separation of the jaw termi nals 12 under the action of the spring and the spreading action of the rear or innermost terminals of the shanks 13 by the engagement of the transverse rod or shaft 27 with the inclined longitudinal walls 16. When the jaws are properly adjusted in relation to the nut or tap, the handle is used in the manner of a screw-driver for turning the shanks, jaws, and nut or tap engaged thereby.

I claim:

1. A wrench comprising a pair of jaw members each including a shank having an outer longitudinally inclined wall adjacent one terminal, a notch in the confronting faces of the opposite terminals, said notch having a longitudinally inclined wall, offset clamping jaws at the firstmentioned terminals, a spring adjacent said first-mentioned terminals for effecting normal relative sep aration of the clamping jaws, a loose connection between the opposite terminals, a tubular handle telescopically associated with the shanks, a relatively wide tapering bearing member engageable with the longitudinally inclined outer side walls, and a transverse shaft engageable with the inclined walls of the notch, whereby upon relative longitudinal movements of the shanks and handle a doubly guided movement of the jaws toward and away from each other is effected.

2. A wrench comprising a pair of jaw members each including a shank having an outer longitudinally inclined wall adjacent one terminal, a notch in the confronting faces of the opposite terminals, said notifh having a longitudinally inclined wall, oli'- set T-shaped clamping jaws at the first-mentioned terminals, a spring adjacent said firstmentioned terminals for etiecting normal relative separation of the clamping jaws, a loose connection between the opposite terminals, a tubular handle telescopically as sociated with the shanks, a bearing member having a rectangular opening with diametrically disposed complei'nentary inclined walls engageable with the longitudinally inclined outer side Walls, and a transverse shaft engageable with the inclined Walls of the notch, whereby upon relative longitudinal movements of the shanks and handle movement of the jaws toward and away from each other is eftected. v 

